A sacked Teletubby and Britian’s Got Talent semi-finalists will be among the talents in a comedy show at the foot of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon). Live comedy in Gwynedd has been described as being as “rare and exotic as the Welsh Yeti”.
Hoping to change this, with the first in a series on monthly comedy shows, is stand-up comedian Noel James, who trod the boards for more than 25 years before springing to fame on Britain’s Got Talent. Originally from the Swansea Valley, he will be compering a live show in Llanberis, Gwynedd, on Saturday, June 17.
In the line-up is Dave Thompson, an actor and stand-up comedian who made headlines in July 1997 after being removed from the children’s television series, Teletubbies. He played the role of purple-coloured Tinky Winky for 70 episodes before being sacked.
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In a letter to Thompson, the BBC told him his “interpretation of the role was not acceptable”. Some disgruntled viewers claimed the character was gay, as he carried a red handbag, and there was an implication he made the role too effeminate. On hearing the news, Thompson burst into tears.
Responding to the sacking at the time, the actor told the Mirror: “I wasn’t given any clues as to what I was doing wrong. I was officially asked to leave in a letter from an accountant just before everyone else went off to the end-of-shooting wrap party.”
Since then, Thompson has carved out his own comedy career. He later appeared in the 2000 Ben Elton film Maybe Baby as Dave the Comedian aka Mrs Furblob. He also appeared each night in Harry Hill’s live tour Hooves.
His next assignment is at the Padarn Hotel, in Llanberis High Street, on Friday evening, 8pm. Also on the bill is Sarah Louise-Keegan, an “accordionist extraordinaire”, with a guest act from Demetris Deech, of Greek extraction.
The show will be in English but Noel is promising to insert the occasional Welsh joke. Padarn Hotel owner Lesley Wilson has high hopes for the new comedy club.
“I think it will prove popular” she said, “And our goal is to have it monthly - everyone is welcome!”
- Tickets for the Padarn Hotel comedy club night cost £10. Updates and booking details are on the hotel’s Facebook page.
Nine-day festival on the Menai
Comedy will also be on the bill when the Gwynedd village of y Felinheli stages its annual nine-day festival at the end of June. Despite having a population of just 2,300, the village is holding a multi-event that would put many towns to shame.
On its first weekend alone, Gŵyl y Felinheli 2023 features a poetry stomp, a free sailing and a yoga session. There’s also a German bierkeller and an Oedfa (service).
It kicks off the weekend before with a golf tournament. On Thursday, June 22, a large marquee will appear on the village green and the festival will start the following day on the shores of the Menai.
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During the week the local primary school will perform their own show. There will be a treasure hunt, bingo night, two dancing sessions and a quiz. Other activities include a 10k race, live music and a day dedicated to older residents.
The festival will end with a Noson Lawen, a night of comedy and entertainment on Friday, June 30 . Carnival Day itself is on Saturday, July 1 and for the first time a food village will be on-site. Performers on the day include Welsh artists Bwncath and Morgan Elwy.
Committee member Osian Owen said the annual festival is a staple of village life. “I remember as a child growing up in the village – we had two Christmases, one in December and the other at the end of June,” he said.
“Does this sort of thing exist anywhere else? This sort of community-based event, on this scale, through the medium of Welsh? Last year we had one hell of a week, coming back for the first time since Covid put a stop to our activities.”
- Gŵyl y Felinheli takes place on the shores of the Menai Straits between June 23 and July 1 2023. Updates can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
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